kalka mail

Kalka Mail establish a relation between the North and East India. It will depart from Howrah (West Bengal) and the destination will Kalka (Hariyana). This train will cover around 1800 km. It's not that much hectic to get a reservation ticket. This train will go through Asansol - Gaya - Pt. Din Dayal Upadhyay - Allahabad - Kanpur - Tundla - Old Delhi - Ambala Cantt - Chandigarh Stations. The train has sleeper, General, First A/C, 3 tier A/C, 2 tier A/C. Pantry car and the catering service is also available. Everyday it goes from Howrah to Kalka and everyday will return to Howrah.

Best things of Kalka Mail: -

If your boarding point from any station of West Bengal and you are planning to go Shimla or Manali, then this train will be good choice. Both the departure and arrival times are good.

The train is very long in length and the Kalka station is located at higher latitude, for this reason, some coach will be remove at Chandigarh station and the stoppage time will be 45 min. The same coaches will be rejoined during the return journey.

The Kalka station is nearly 30 km away from Chandigarh station. If you are unable to get ticket up to Kalka, then search it up to Chandigarh. The chances of getting the reservation will be more.

Another good thing is that, the Kalka Mail is linked with Shivalik Deluxe express. This is a toy train will depart from Kalka and goes up to Shimla. The schedule departure is around 7 AM from Kalka. If your Kalka Mail will delayed for any reason, the Shivalik Deluxe express would also wait.

Bad things of Kalka Mail: -

Most of the day, the Kalka Mail is getting late 2 to 3 hours from the schedule time to reach Delhi. I don't know why. After crossing Delhi, the delay time will recover. Some times the Kalka Mail can't able to recover the delay time to reach Kalka junction.

So, if you want to go Delhi from West Bengal then Kalka Mail will not be a good choice. Duranta Express and Rajdhani Express will be the best choice for Delhi. These will take lesser time compare to any other trains.

Food during travel: -

This train have a pantry coach but try to avoid their food. snakes, water bottle, etc you can take but don't go for lunch or dinner. The quality of food will be horrible.

You may carry your one time food. After that book through online site like Travel Khana, Railway Tourism etc. They are the private companies and they will provide food from station on your seat. You will get the better quality of food compare to the pantry coach's food with the same price. If you are booking continuously when ever you travel, then every time they will give you some offer.

Don't take any food from your co-passengers. It will may be dangerous.

Safety (my point of view): -

Choose your train those who has a pantry coach. That will more safe because they will not allow the outsider hawkers. If you see the outsider hawkers then do not buy anything from them. You can easily distinguish the outsider hawkers because they don't have any uniform.

My Opinion: -

If you are coming from West Bengal and your destination is Shimla and want to enjoy the toy train journey, then definitely take the Kalka Mail. It will be your best option.